The Maryland TCA payment schedule deposits benefits on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th of every month, and your date is fixed by the first letter of your last name.1Conduent. Maryland Benefit Issuance Schedule Temporary Cash Assistance is Maryland’s version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, paying monthly cash to families with children whose income and resources fall short of basic needs.2Maryland Department of Human Services. Temporary Cash Assistance
Your Deposit Date by Last Name
Maryland splits recipients into three groups. Each group’s date stays the same every month:1Conduent. Maryland Benefit Issuance Schedule
- Last names A through F: the 2nd of the month
- Last names G through P: the 3rd of the month
- Last names Q through Z: the 4th of the month
The window applies year-round. If your date lands on a weekend or state holiday, funds are typically available the preceding business day. If you receive both TCA and SNAP, the cash benefit arrives first; SNAP is staggered separately from the 4th through the 23rd based on the first three letters of your last name.3Maryland Department of Human Services. Benefits Schedule
How the Money Reaches You
Most recipients get TCA on the Maryland Independence Card, an Electronic Benefit Transfer card issued to the head of household. It works like a debit card at authorized retailers and at ATMs, and your monthly balance loads automatically on your issuance date.
You can also request direct deposit into a personal checking or savings account by submitting an authorization form with your routing and account numbers to the Department of Human Services. Direct deposit can mean faster access to cash without ATM fees. Recipients who do not provide bank information and cannot use the Independence Card may receive a paper check instead. Your delivery method stays the same until you contact your local Department of Social Services office to change it.
How Much You Will Receive
Benefit amounts vary by household size. For 2026, the maximum monthly payment for a household of three is $773, a $20 increase over the 2025 amount.4Maryland Department of Human Services. 2026 TCA TDAP Benefit Increase Larger households receive more, smaller households less. Your actual payment depends on your countable income after deductions and earnings disregards. Maryland does not count household assets when determining TCA eligibility, so savings accounts and vehicle values do not reduce or disqualify your benefit.
If Your Deposit Does Not Arrive
Start with the automated EBT customer service line at 1-800-997-2222 to check your Independence Card balance and recent transactions. That will confirm whether the deposit posted. If nothing shows, call the Maryland Department of Human Services at 1-800-332-6347 to have a representative look for administrative holds or processing errors.5Maryland Department of Human Services. Department of Human Services
If your card is lost or stolen, request a replacement right away to protect your balance. Your local Department of Social Services office can issue a new card on site and resolve payment problems that phone support cannot. Keep your mailing address and phone number current in the system so the agency can reach you quickly.
Keeping Payments on Schedule
Two obligations keep the deposits coming. First, you must report any change that could affect your payment amount within 10 days, including a new job, a raise, a change in household members, or a move.6Library of Maryland Regulations. COMAR 07.03.03.18 – Reapplication, Changes, Timely and Adequate Notice If you start working, the 10-day clock begins when you receive your first paycheck, not when you accept the offer. Reporting income late costs you your earnings disregards, which can lower your benefit or create an overpayment you will have to repay.
Second, your local department assigns an eligibility period of up to 12 months, after which you must reapply.6Library of Maryland Regulations. COMAR 07.03.03.18 – Reapplication, Changes, Timely and Adequate Notice The agency will notify you when recertification is due and schedule an interview to verify continued eligibility. Treat it like a fresh application, with current proof of income, residency, and household composition. Miss the deadline and your benefits stop. The myMDTHINK online portal is the fastest way to upload documents and report changes.7myMDTHINK. Manage myMDTHINK Benefits and Account Services Local Department of Social Services offices also accept documents in person.
The 60-Month Lifetime Limit
TCA is not open-ended. Federal law prohibits states from using TANF funds to assist any family that has received federally funded cash assistance for a cumulative total of 60 months, and Maryland follows that cap.8Administration for Children and Families. Q and A – Time Limits The months do not have to be consecutive. Every month you receive TCA counts, even if you leave the program and return years later, and months of assistance received in another state also count. Hardship extensions may be available for families approaching or exceeding the cap, but the criteria vary and can change. If you are nearing the limit, contact your caseworker well in advance to discuss your options.